SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) is set to issue its fiscal fourth quarter 2013 earnings on Monday, February 24 after the market close. The San Mateo-based company will hold a conference call at 5:00 pm ET on Monday to discuss its Q4 and full year results. Shares of the residential solar company have surged more than 300% over the past 12 months. Though it’s a pioneer in installing solar systems for residential and small business customers, the company is facing increased competition from Duke Energy Corp (NYSE:DUK) and SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR).

Source: Wikimedia Commons

SolarCity has missed consensus in three of the past four quarters

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) to incur 55 cents in Q4 losses, compared to a loss of 54 cents in the same period last year. Its revenues are expected to jump 70% YoY to $43.07 million in the fourth quarter. Over the past few months, analysts have grown more optimistic about the company. They have narrowed SolarCity’s Q4 loss estimate by a penny, and full year 2014 estimates by 4%.

SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) went public in late 2012, and the company has reported four quarterly results since then. Of them, SolarCity has missed the Wall Street consensus three times, and overperformed last quarter. This time, analysts and investors will be focused on key metrics such as the megawatts deployed. During the third quarter, megawatts deployed surged 110.81% YoY, and has gained 62.39% for the first nine months of 2013. For the fourth quarter, the company forecasts 101 megawatts deployment. Costs and expenses will also be closely watched factors during the earnings session.

SolarCity likely to issue positive 2014 guidance

SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) forecasts 475-525 megawatts deployment in 2014. Declining installation costs make solar systems more attractive, boosting the company’s growth prospects. In mid-2013, SolarCity had a 26.2% market share in the U.S. residential solar market. If the company meets its megawatts deployment target for 2014, that will represent a whopping 80% annual growth rate. Analysts anticipate the residential solar market to rise 20%, and commercial market to increase about 14% this year.

Author: Vikas ShuklaAlthough he has a background in finance and holds an MBA, Vikas Shukla is a technology reporter. He has a strong interest in gadgets, gizmos, and science. He writes regularly on these topics. - He can be contacted by email at vshukla@valuewalk.com